Grotto of Saint Magdalene - Saint-Pilon

Religious history and panorama in the Massif de la Sainte-Baume.

Details

18298
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.35 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 375 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 371 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 992 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 669 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Hôtellerie de la Sainte Baume car park.

(S/E) Head to the left of the hotel. Find the Chemin du Canapé signposted in red and white (GR®9) and follow it southwards.

(1) Continue on the GR®, which bends to the right and then, further on, to the left to climb up to the oratory.

(2) Take the Way of the Cross to the Grotto of St Mary Magdalene and then descend.

(2) Continue along the GR®9to the right. Pass the Chapelle des Parisiens and then a second oratory to reach the Col du St-Pilon.

(3) Continue to climb to the right, following the red and white markings (GR®98) to the summit of Saint-Pilon.

(4) Follow the same path back down to the pass.

(3) Reach the second oratory, then the chapel and return to the first oratory.

(2) Take the path on the right (Chemin des Roys) to go back down.

(5) At the bottom, near the picnic area, turn left to return to the fork in the road.

(1) Take the opposite route back to the car park (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 669 m - Hôtellerie car park
  2. 1 : km 0.47 - alt. 672 m - Carrefour de la boucle
  3. 2 : km 1.86 - alt. 834 m - Departure of the 2 round trips, to the - La Grotte Sainte Marie Madeleine
  4. 3 : km 2.82 - alt. 935 m - Col du Saint Pilon (934m)
  5. 4 : km 3.26 - alt. 992 m - Summit - Saint-Pilon (949m)
  6. 5 : km 5.26 - alt. 683 m - To the left
  7. S/E : km 6.35 - alt. 670 m - Hôtellerie car park

Notes

Basic hiking equipment.
Bring water and something to cover up in the mistral wind.
There is a reception area at the cave with a table and small equipment for heating up a meal or a drink.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 132 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
SAUBESTY
SAUBESTY

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

At 82 years old, these are our last courses to revisit. It was a beautiful day, just like in the past. Thank you.

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User 28043400

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent autumn Sunday with breathtaking colours... but far too many people, each one noisier than the next, not respecting the quiet zone despite the signs, and bringing dogs despite the prohibitions.
The positive point is that nature was not littered with rubbish, so there was a minimum of respect.
To be repeated during the week, the 360 at the top of Saint Pilon is exceptional.

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klaht
klaht

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike, as interesting culturally as it is visually!
The path to Sainte Baume is quite busy, but once you head towards the Col du Pilon, you won't see many people.

The change in atmosphere is impressive, it's a hike not to be missed!

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fabien.
fabien.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant hike

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Casteljaloux
Casteljaloux

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike with stunning views at the summit, but too many people and, above all, too many dogs

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christine.mispelon
christine.mispelon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike. A must-do

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sgerard6
sgerard6

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

There are several ways to reach Saint Pilon. Following the Visorando guide was very helpful and allowed us to enjoy this beautiful circular walk. There were lots of people at the cave, but it was much quieter at Saint Pilon. And what an absolutely magnificent 360° view! Superb!

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DOMITOUR
DOMITOUR

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful site and nice hike despite the crowds

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jpv23
jpv23

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Even though this is the umpteenth time I've done this hike, I still enjoy it just as much
We set off early in the morning because it was already over 20 degrees at 8 a.m. and was forecast to reach over 35 degrees by midday
When we arrived, we had a chat with the priest, who gave us lots of information about the history of the cave and Mary.
We then continued on to Mont Pilon and the chapel with its view of the Mediterranean Sea
I'd like to do this again with other friends so they can discover this beautiful hike

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O'Neill
O'Neill

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

.

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User 26121959

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk, well shaded (except for the section leading to the summit.
Worth doing again.

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Mireille7313
Mireille7313

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, a must-see in the region. The cave is magnificent and the setting relaxing. It's well worth the effort, with a tough climb, but it's still pleasant in the undergrowth. The view makes you forget everything once you've arrived! On the plateau, at the Col du Pilon, we were alone - well, almost alone, as we came across a little fox in the middle of a meal on the edge of the cliff.
This hike is well worth the diversions, in a sacred and very well-maintained area.

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alain du Var
alain du Var

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A place with a magnificent view. The cave sanctuary is well equipped (but no toilet). There are a lot of steps, so take care if you have bad knees (in this case, prefer a return journey via the Chemin des Roys). A lot of people on this route, especially on a bank holiday, and very difficult to park despite the car parks on either side of the hostellerie. A beautiful walk to do again and again... with its many variations.

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brun ge
brun ge

Beautiful walk in the woods with magnificent oak trees. Easy, with a sumptuous Ste Madeleine cave at the finish. And breathtaking views.

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Agenceco
Agenceco

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We took the route off the bike. The 1st part up to the pass is very busy. We opted to extend the loop by descending via the Pas de la Cabré. This is slightly more challenging and aerial, but not difficult. But you do need to be used to hiking. It took us 4 hours 40 minutes, including the lunch break.

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